Things to do in France at Christmas

October 25, 2016

France
at Christmas time is a winter wonderland. It’s home to a number of festive
traditions, from extravagant meals on Christmas Eve to fantastic cultural
events happening throughout December, and I always love returning home to
France during this time of year. It’s also a great time to enjoy new and
exciting experiences with your friends and family, so why not pop to France
during the Christmas period and discover a new festive tradition?

Réveillon
on Christmas Eve (or NYE)

Dine on delicious scallops and other French specialities, at a French réveillon. Credit:
Ralph Daily

In
France (and also French-speaking places such as Québec, Romania, Portugal and
Belgium) a réveillon is a long, enjoyable meal which is often the start of an
evening of entertainment. It takes place either on Christmas Eve or New Year’s
Eve (or both) and anyone enjoying a réveillon properly must stay away until
midnight and, ideally, into the wee hours.

Traditionally,
Christmas Eve is to be enjoyed with close friends and family members, while New
Year’s Eve is for everyone to enjoy together. I adore this French tradition,
which features the most beautiful meals and some of my favourite French dishes,
such as smoked salmon on blinis, oysters and scallops, while the star of the
show is often roasted turkey with chestnuts.

Saint Nicholas Festival
in Nancy

Admire the 18th century architecture in Nancy, at the Saint Nicholas Day celebrations. Credit:
Mark Skevington

Taking
place on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th December, Saint
Nicholas Day is celebrated in the city of Nancy, a beautiful destination in
north-eastern France, home to such sights as the stunning 18th-century
Stanislas
Square. Celebrated in France, amongst other countries, Saint Nicholas Day
celebrates the Patron Saint of Lorraine – the protector of the weak and
oppressed.

A
traditional day of feasting, to celebrate Saint Nicholas Day, Nancy comes alive
with parades and floats, with the city choosing a different theme each year,
choosing from topics surrounding the history of Lorraine. It’s a fantastic
family-friendly event and one that’s rooted in French culture, so be sure to
check it out if you’re in the area.

Habits de Lumière in Épernay

Famous
for being the capital of the Champagne region, Épernay hosts the fantastic Habits de Lumière event. Taking
place on 9th, 10th and 11th December, 2016
will see the event’s 17th anniversary! I love this festival as it’s
really Christmassy, with plenty of sparkle, lights and decorations.

A
celebration of the city’s local art, culture and food, you can enjoy brilliant
theatre and arts performances, as well as cooking demonstrations which
highlight some of the best local produce, such as Champagne vineyards, regional
cheeses and mouth-watering desserts. My husband loves the vintage car parade
that takes place on Sunday morning, and there’s even a tea party in the
afternoon for the little ones.

Travelling
to France during the Christmas period? With Eurotunnel Le Shuttle you can travel
from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes.

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About the author

I love travelling. France, Europe, the World! I’ve been to many countries around the World, but keep being drawn back to France. Just a quick trip under the Channel from our home in Folkestone, my family and I could easily spend every holiday there, from skiing, self catering gites and the odd daytrip or weekend break. I hope to share some of my stories and favourite places with our Eurotunnel Le Shuttle customers.